Mother Nature 1,
Demons 0

As you guessed, Mother Nature conspired against your heroes on Thursday night and delayed the inevitable - a whippin' of JJ's Kitchen.

BTW, I found out where JJ's Kitchen is by driving down a Quincy side street the other day. It's located around 21st and Ohio. They're a catering biz. Who knew??

Anyway, we're off until next Thursday.

Hopefully, Hitman's ear has healed by then.

FIRST INJURY

The Demons had their first practice of the year today at Sunny South Park. The first practice means lots of dropped fly balls, swings and misses, and occasionaly getting a pitch to hit from The Weamster. 

We had our first injury when Super Eric, the Kenny Lofton of Division V Softball, smacked a vicious liner into the outfield. Hit Man Hart attempted to field the two-hopper and was rewarded for his hustle when the ball bounced off a mole hill and smacked him in the ear, as the photo shows (Thanks Shey Fey!).

There have been many Demons injuries over the years but none reported before the season actually started.

Of course Shawny was not at practice today, as he was either sleeping in from another night of debauchery or up in Chicago rooting for his Cubs. Since he's employed by the Quincy Park District, we're wondering why South Park's ball diamond outfield has the flatness of a lunar landscape. Moles just don't live there, they build underground cities. You don't run after a fly ball at South Park, you avoid the various craters and try not to twist an ankle, pull a hammy or get smacked by a wicked hop.

Hit Man Hart (who also hit a car during his batting practice stint, but fortunately the Sunday driver was 89 years old and didn't stop) vows to take out his sore and blackened ear injury on Thursday's opponent in the season opener.

Or maybe wear a helmet at the next South Park practice.

Schedule is out!!!

Who cares about the release of the 2008 NFL schedule, which got much love on ESPN's family of networks on Tuesday.

The big announcement came on Wednesday with the release of the H-W Demons' 2008 schedule. Your defending Quincy Park District Division V champions found out who they will pummel this summer on their way to back-to-back league crowns.

The Demons will start their title defense against a group plugging themselves as JJ's Kitchen. Well, we're going to be all up in their kitchen at 8 p.m. on April 24 at Wavering Park, the first step in a 12-step program of Division V dominance.

JJ's Kitchen, who we can only hope is named after former Gems GM Jeff Jansen - or better yet - for the fine peeps at Jimmy John's, is one of several new entries in the Division V ranks this season. Other newbies include the Green Street Hooligans. If they're anything like the Mean Street Posse, we will dominate the sweater-vest-wearing chumps.

Mendon Bar is also in the league. I thought there were two bars in Mendon or else all of the lawyers in Josh Rabe's hometown have formed a team. Isn't the Late Model Lawyer from Mendon. Where's Stevie Dirt when you need him?

Also Paulie's Customs and JM Huber-GCC appear to be new to the league. These could be some familiar guys with new sponsors, who knows.

I'm deeply saddened by the fact the Cooler Boyz aren't among the nine teams listed in Division V. U.S. Cooler has long been a staple (and by staple, I mean whipping boy) of Division V. They will be missed (if they are truly gone.) Maybe we can still recruit Rueb to play for us.

If you're interested, we've been challenged by the paper champs from Division III to an exhibition this Sunday. Game time is 5:30 p.m. at Upper Moorman if you're interested. The Weamster said he couldn't go because he has to be at Quincy Raceways. Where's the dedication?

Here's the schedule:

April 24 vs. JJ's Kitchen, 8 p.m., Wavering
May 1 vs. Green Street Hooligans, 7 p.m., Moorman Main
May 8 vs. Paulie's Customs, 6 p.m., Upper Moorman
May 15 Bye
May 22 vs. Mendon Bar, 6 p.m., Moorman Main
May 29 vs. Merry Beavers, 7 p.m., Upper Moorman
June 5 vs. JM Huber-GCC, 8 p.m., Wavering
June 12 vs. Phil Craig & Awerkamp, 9 p.m., Moorman Main
June 19 vs. Uncle Bob's, 9 p.m., Moorman Main
June 26 vs. JJ's Kitchen, 7 p.m., Wavering
July 3 vs. Paulie's Customs, 9 p.m., Moorman Main
July 10 Bye
July 17 vs. Green Street Hooligans, 6 p.m., Wavering
July 24 vs. Phil Craig & Awerkamp, 7 p.m., Moorman Main